Things to do in Cairo, Egypt

No, no I din take any of your son’s photos. Nooooo plz, don’t mummify me. plzzzzzzzz. {Adrelaine released and jolted awake} Uff that must be Tatunkhamun’s mother bothering me in dreams for those snaps. Which ones if asked then there is a story to be read.

After NYC, LA, Miami, and swanning CHI-Town, it’s time for three musketeers to go international and it’s Musk-3’s turn to choose, and childhood dream flashed – The Great Pyramids. Of course, it’s a dream for all of us anyway from the day Aishwarya Rai danced for Poovullo Dagunna in Jeans and the day is not far away to reenact.

The Arrival

By the time we planned our 3-day trip, bought tickets, and obtained a visa (which is a fairly very easy process) we heard two terror attacks in and around Cairo but our enthusiasm to visit Pyramids is above everything. The day has arrived and on ✈️ to Munich. It’s a great airport but I cannot visit even Audi Museum in other terminals even with 5 5-hour layover as visa restrictions, so decided to admire airport haulers.

3-hour flight to Cairo and there we landed. Africa, it is!!!! Yay! Received by Rico from Memphis Tours and we were on thru crowded 10 pm streets and highways of Cairo to reach Fairmont Nile City. Can’t wait to kick start the trip.

Day-1

Sabah alkhyr.  I tried to wish Owasis, our Chauffeur looking at my Google Translate who smiled uncomfortably, and then it’s on. Soon we met Mahmood our guide and we were on our way to the dream come true moment. Driving in fog, we observed houses in old Cairo built with red bricks and no paint. Mostly all of them. Crowded bus stations, heavy morning traffic, and vendors to cattle on the street are common in most countries and are no different here. A sharp turn and Le Meridien is on the left and across the road is a glimpse of a pyramid peak covered in fog. Mahmood informed us it’s too much fog to visit the pyramids, so we had to make the Memphis Museum our first spot.

Half an hour’s drive in a WiFi-enabled vehicle through busy roads we spotted donkey transport, a lot of cauliflowers, green fields, and a canal all the way. Oh, ya woman with their gallebaya and Tommy Holliger showroom.

Memphis Museum

Tickets are arranged in advance by tours, no waiting in line, and straight ahead to the entrance. It is a small place of exhibits mostly with Rameses II’s. Mahmood explained, that Memphis is destroyed by the ferocious Nile River, and sadly so much heritage is lost. Still, we are lucky to witness part of the huge Pharaoh(~King) Ramses II statue made of Alabaster and relish a small Sphinx before you experience the biggest one.

There is another standing Ramses II statue outside and a few things to notice in most of the statue’s left leg in the marching forward position symbol of the next life, stiff hand, and fake beard.

Lastly, the mummy bed is made of alabaster. Pretty much done with the museum. Starter pack. Next, we visited Sakkara Carpet School. Impressive work creating fabulous silk carpets and it’s 3 months of human work to create a large size one. So we understood they are super costly.

Saqqara Pyramid

We proceeded to the first pyramid ever built – Saqqara for King Djoser. Stepping onto the Sahara desert and sand gave a foremost feel. First desert to step into and the impression that they would be all hot changed immediately with the freezing wind. Observed old art along walls surrounding the pyramid and those colors witnessed at least three sousand years of life. Yes, it’s a ‘s’ousand, ‘s’eatre (theatre) here in Cairo as I hear from most of the people. ‘Th’ is out of the dictionary. Back to the story plz. I hear you. Saqqara pyramid did impress us with different layers and it’s definitely a delight to watch such humongous architecture and we couldn’t wait anymore to watch the huge humongous.

The moment we have been waiting for

Half an hour’s drive back we are driving in well-paved roads through the desert and there is another close sight of the pyramid. It’s a few steps from the parking spot and not much walk in the sand, we will stand in front of the largest pyramid ever built on earth. It is one of the seven wonders for a reason. People standing on the first few steps looked so small and we couldn’t help but awe of the greatest standing ancient monuments and only existing oldest wonders until Mahmood brought us to senses explaining the history which he proclaimed did the same to 3326 visitors to date. Don’t ask me if I haven’t seen Slumdog Millionaire.

After a quick history, we stepped on the pyramid and went to the opening from which the pyramid is completely robbed, so there was nothing left inside. Then we walked towards the other side of Khufu Pyramid when we spotted the second largest pyramid of Khafre and very soon the last and smallest Pyramid of Menkaure. It is one of the best moments to walk through these pyramids wondering how at least 20 to 30,000 people worked for decades to build these tombs for their Pharaohs. They sure have great talent and workmanship.

We were striving hard to capture those filmy-style snaps that we had seen from childhood and then we learned that there is a panoramic viewpoint to capture those shots and we reached there in no time and were awestruck appreciating the great monuments. Of course 243 snaps along with amazing rides of camel and horse right in Sahara.

But still, the picture is incomplete, and soon realized it’s The Great Sphinx. 5-minute drive and we were on the greatest viewpoint every person dreams of. It is worth it now after all 15 hr flights and 83°F hot sun. It is a view to experience once in a lifetime. Still wonder how difficult it could be to carve such a huge Sphinx out of a single rock.

After 154 more pics, we felt hungry and it’s Kabab wa kofta and Shawerma. Grilled food is tasty. Surprised to see Pizza Hut next door to the pyramids. Such close are deserts occupied. Post lunch we were taken to another tour-benefitted shop.

This time it is art from Papyrus and it is extraordinary. Loved the way they create designs on paper that are so rugged yet completely natural. The best thing is two designs in a single piece one for light and the other for the night. Ended up spending some bucks but there is always a good deal only when you try to walk out after an endless bargain. Musk-1 has the talent.

Another visit to the Pyramids?

Then driving away from the pyramids is so tough that we couldn’t stand. So why not visit again and this time in style – 250cc quad bike ride around the Pyramids watching the sun drifting to sleep. 2 hours of enormous fun steering through sand slopes and dunes spotting the best views of the pyramids. Visuals here. Finally, we were so tired that we couldn’t wait to rest. End of Day 1.

Day-2

The Egyptian Museum

Mahmood and Owasis are ready to pick up when we are still trying great items in the breakfast buffet of Fairmont Nile which includes natural honey straight from the colony, Koshari, Eggah, Ful, and sweets – Halwa and Kanafah. Mahmood explained the schedule on the ride and soon we reached The Egyptian Museum.

The only place where we experience stored mummies( of humans and animals) and the great treasure inside the pyramid of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, the only intact tomb ever found.

We can never imagine what could be the treasure in The Great Pyramids after witnessing the quality and quantity saved in King Tut’s tomb. The museum has various Sphinx, statues of various Pharaohs with forward legs and fake beards, Oruglaphus script on Rosita stone, King Tut’s play games, a bed, a kid chair, various sizes of gold boxes to store all of the above items, mummies of Alligator, horse, bull and various kings and queens. Everything. Worth a visit.

The Hanging Church

Our next stop at Hanging Church oldest church in Egypt and named so as it was built over a Roman fortress in Coptic(Old) Cairo. Later, we walked on tiny vintage streets of Coptic Cairo to reach a few other churches including the Jewish Orthodox Church which has Islamic-style artwork, and Abu Serga where the infant Jesus rested at the end of their journey into Egypt.  History lovers will have a feast. Speaking of which, it’s our lunchtime to enjoy more sweets.

Mosque of Muhammad Ali

Visiting Cairo is never complete without the Mosque of Muhammad Ali in the Citadel. It is such a pretty mosque and so much art within to explore. Hats off to ancient people for creating super architecture wonders and unexplained genius to accomplish such large sculptures with completely manual labor.

Another store for souvenirs. This time to get a Cartouche, a hieroglyphic collection. Write more hieroglyphs.

Another Souvenir Store, thanks to Tour Agency

Then visited a perfume store after all the best perfumes of the ancient world came from Egypt and they sure are amazing. The mesmerizing aroma from just a single drop of them. Can’t resist spending some bucks now and seems no bargaining too. Why not experience some real bargain fun? We are off to Khan el-Khalili market. Perfect place for souvenirs. The place is filled with locals who love to talk, explain stuff, and of course, sell things for a great margin unless bargained. We brought sweets to take home and they did taste really good.

Cairo Tower

Our next stop is Cairo Tower on Gezira Island. It’s a pleasant sight to watch the city’s top view. Football fields, the Nile River, Tall Hotels along, Feluccas, and a lot of traffic. A lot. Oh, a lovely sunset, and is that the ship we are cruising for dinner? Nile Maxim is a great cruise. Food is ok but the belly dancer and Spin Man made it look great.  Oh, that’s a long day and so much done. When back in the hotel and passing through the attached Nile City Mall, encountered ‘Fein Kalbi’ fame Yousra Al Lawzi promoting her new film. Someone here to wish you good night’s dreams.

Day 3: It is nothing but fog

About the third day, all there is well let’s just put it this way. Beware of fog when traveling away from Cairo in the desert. There might be a lot of fog and the military might stop traffic for hours. The best part – Hibiscus tea on the highway. One of the best ones to try. God, there is a lot of Cairo and around to explore but there is a job waiting overseas.

The Departure

Time to go back. 12-hour sleep and just can’t wait to bring back my tastebuds but now there is a secondary immigration inspection. Why not, at least returning from Egypt where there have been three terror attacks in the past 90 days one amid our vacation? Just a detailed travel plan, complete cooperation, and a cool officer will make this too very smooth and one will be out within an hour or two. One hour drive to Bawarchi Biryani to order favorite Keema Biryani and guess what Katrina Kaif dancing for Teri Ore, and my heart started dancing too ‘We have been there all this while uh ah ah ft. Rihanna’ Watta feeling.

The Conclusion

First and most important, watch for terror notices before traveling. Secondly, recommend traveling thru agents in countries like Egypt when you wanna save a lot of time but sure exploring yourself is the best thing. Then not all souvenirs are worth the time and of course money. Never spend on all tempting ones again. Lastly, never take snaps of the mummy. Yes not like this 😛

Alnnihaya
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